SUBJECT: How to Train Your Draconology Expert
PARTICIPANTS: Julius, Fitcher
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Late Drakonis
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: As a follow up to early investigation into the nature of Corypheus' dragon, Fitcher and Julius worked to track down and interview a number of draconology scholars who might have assisted in capturing the creature and seeing it exposed to red lyrium.

REPORT:
[But first, a note on the cover sheet:]

Enchanter,

Behind this page are my summary and notes of our trip together. I have done my best to strike a balance between brevity - given that you yourself were in attendance - and completion for the sake of the future record. I hope to neither bore you witless, nor to put any theoretical stranger to the subject at a disadvantage.

Yours in Service &tc,
- S. Fitcher
--
Having sifted through a list of potential candidates who may have been responsible for or have information regarding the recent capture of a dragon on behalf of certain ancient darkspawn, the following were determined to be the foremost experts in their field and of highest interest to Riftwatch's preliminary investigation:

Renilla Levett; on the basis of having traded a series of letters with her colleagues at the University of Orlais, it was determined that the woman disappeared years ago. While the circumstances are most mysterious, her fellows are under the none too generous opinion that she has been eaten by the subjects of her study. Letters attached, with lines of particular interest (such as '...Madame Levett would not have had the patience to be ordered around by anyone, much less some jumped up Tevinter magister...') have been marked in the margins for ease.

Ydalla de Vittoria; initially suspected to be covering up potential dealings with Tevinter forces, a brief interview was enough to conclude de Vittoria to be incompetent, inconsequential, and inessential. Transcript of our interview appended for reference.

Thomas Brochard; a once-respected hunter evidently gone very much to seed. Though I have no doubt Master Brochard may have been excellent at killing things, it seems his hand for academic study belonged to his estranged partner, an elf by the name of Corinna who evidently took exception to be treated like the help. Should one be tempted to at some point track down Corinna (who seems both knowledgeable and no-nonsense, two traits this agent humbly finds most promising), Brochard was happy to share her last known whereabouts which are, 'I don't know; I've looked everywhere. If you find her, tell her I'm a changed man.'

Plinia Caranta; evidently a well known scholar of the field based out of Tevinter, however her work is the subject of censure when credited here in the South (hence, I believe, why her identity is rather a niche bit of draconology trivia). Caranta is presently rumored to be in Minrathous, but may have been traveling outside Tevinter roughly around the same time Our Dear Friend may have been looking for his scaly counterpart. Notes and relevant correspondence attached here for reference/

NEXT STEPS: I most modestly and humbly suggest tracking down a colleague or two of Plinia Caranta, the Tevinter Draconology scholar, should the woman herself not to be had (although obviously that would be the preference).

NOTES & LINKS: Log | OOC Info | Earlier Reports

[ In a covert sort of stage whisper, due to currently being in the sort of place where they could be walked in on easily: ] Mes amis, we are trapped in the Orlesian Navy.

I’d say we’ve tried nearly everything. Started our careers as forecastle men, and we’re down grubbing with the waisters now. And yet we’ve still not managed to get kicked out.

Overslept the fifth day, was it? Had to do labor for that one, which is better’n the brig--which we’ve only just managed to avoid, we’re on bread and water rations now--

We tied the worst knots that you have ever seen. Four that came apart immediately, and two they still have not managed to untie. We burned some elfroot right next to the captain's quarters. We did—we have done a lot of things.

We’re getting desperate. Not desperate enough to match the desperation of our captain, who is a forgiving soul determined to keep us on so he can satisfy his headcount. But still desperate. I thought it’d be easy, getting us out. Thought that nearly six days ago, and we’re still here.

We have to hit the sweet spot, you know, to be sent ashore instead of executed or thrown overboard. Not here, at least. I am not a strong enough swimmer. Monsieur Rivain would have to leave me behind. It would be very tragic.

So we are taking ideas.

Ideas for freedom. We’re neither of us cut out for a long career in the navy. Or for early deaths.